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Sept 6, 2012 18:15:46 GMT
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Be warned insurance on a van can be expensive whereas a proper camper reasonable. With that in mind do a proper job add windows, get reclassified by DVLA (they will call it "van with windows") and then most insurers will reduce premium. Ahh yes the insurance issue. Do you (or does anyone) have any idea of the extent to which i'd need to convert a panel van in order to register it as a camper? Eg, does it HAVE to have windows? Power & Water? Or can any old builder just throw a matress in the back and call it a camper? Thanks! Mattress in the back definitely won't cut it. When I converted mine, I got it inspected and re-classified. the guy who inspected it was a campervan owner anyway, so easy to deal with. It was all very informal, we had a great old chat about campervanning and he was really interested in the work I'd done. He was more than happy, and noted seating/pull-out bed;toilet;sink;on-board water tanks;storage;built-in fridge. Basically if it looks like it's a campervan rather than some half-assed attempt to bluff your way with a commercial vehicle, I'd say you're in.
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Sept 6, 2012 18:37:47 GMT
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Now DVLA will only reclassify a coachbuilt as "Motorhome". Any converted van, even brand new by reputable company, just get called "Van with windows". Not sure therefore if you could get the same classification with no interior - just the windows. Loads of peoples experiences of struggle with DVLA to try and get "Motorhome" classification without success. Insurers, however,will accept "Van with windows" classification by DVLA if you include pics confirming you have converted the interior.
Paul H
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mjd
Part of things
Posts: 46
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Sept 6, 2012 22:46:35 GMT
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They seemed to be having a real clampdown not long ago (and arguably rightly so, there was a fair bit of pisstaking going on...), but I gather they've backed off a bit recently -- certainly a number of people on the T4/T5 forums who've managed to get conversions in as "Motorcaravan" in recent weeks. Taking photos with an elevated roof and an awning on the side seems to help That said, it doesn't make that much practical difference -- AFAIK specialist insurers will insure things as campervans (with reasonable premiums) even if they're "vans with windows" according to DVLA, as long as they have the essential camper features. Sorry, that had been covered already
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Last Edit: Sept 6, 2012 22:47:12 GMT by mjd
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Sept 6, 2012 23:04:17 GMT
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My Vito althou it needs a bit of welding for test, it has one door with the window in already to make it more of a dual liner as there is a 2nd row of seats bolted to the floor. MOT has expired thou but you are welcome to it for £500 that would give you some time and money to play with to make it what you want, it has twin sliding side doors but rear barn doors. 2.2 CDI engine that goes really well, so even if you decided it wasn't for you you could drop the engine and gearbox out sell the alloys and weigh the shell in and make money
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Some days you just need to take a grinder to an inanimate object, just to make your day a tiny bit better!!
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Sept 6, 2012 23:23:14 GMT
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matto
Part of things
Posts: 222
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Has no one suggested a Delica yet? I've slept in mine a few times and was very comfortable... you'll also never get stuck on a wet campsite
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Has no one suggested a Delica yet? I've slept in mine a few times and was very comfortable... you'll also never get stuck on a wet campsite If you can find me a Delica for around £600 mate, let me know! ;D
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Sept 7, 2012 10:36:32 GMT
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cub was insured for social use only,with Gladiator. not too expensive compared to my last car (ford cougar v6) just re-quoted for my new Iveco Daily,and again covered for social use it's come out cheaper!! cub has 11m mot tax end of the month,scruffy around edges but is so reliable. £650 ono
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matto
Part of things
Posts: 222
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Sept 7, 2012 13:54:01 GMT
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Has no one suggested a Delica yet? I've slept in mine a few times and was very comfortable... you'll also never get stuck on a wet campsite If you can find me a Delica for around £600 mate, let me know! ;D Hmm you make a good point, I didn't realise quite how highly people value them... they are about though, I didn't pay much more than that for mine.
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Sept 8, 2012 14:49:20 GMT
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I've found myself looking on Thiefbay at various old campers and motorhomes which need some "TLC"
I'd love an old Bedford or Tranny 4 berth to modernize. It's definately something I'll be thinking of when it comes to sell the GTI.
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1993 Mercedes-Benz 190e LE in Azzuro Blue.
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ruffgeezer
Posted a lot
Attracts french tat.
Posts: 1,252
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Sept 8, 2012 15:31:00 GMT
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We've a leggy Toyota HiAce van in at work, 170k but £600 including the vat.
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I have gone down the transit bus route,I use it as a van all week then chuck the camping gear in for the weekend,its 2.5 di so good on fuel and bits are cheaper than the Imp!
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Sept 9, 2012 23:54:20 GMT
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My Vito althou it needs a bit of welding for test, it has one door with the window in already to make it more of a dual liner as there is a 2nd row of seats bolted to the floor. MOT has expired thou but you are welcome to it for £500 that would give you some time and money to play with to make it what you want, it has twin sliding side doors but rear barn doors. 2.2 CDI engine that goes really well, so even if you decided it wasn't for you you could drop the engine and gearbox out sell the alloys and weigh the shell in and make money i am wishing i had a job or savings so much right now, possibly the cheapest running vito i've ever heard of
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volvo 850 GLT - will arise
volvo 340 - skiddy skiddy john deere green thing
volvo 850r - passes everything but a petrol station
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Sept 10, 2012 16:03:33 GMT
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I've got a converted mk1 Renault master ex-nhs patient transport ambulance, been bloody fantastic! Just got back today from a little break. Never added up what it owes me, but I'll bet it's less than your budget! Now has 2.5 turbo diesel power and longer legged gearbox as well, which means I can actually cruise at reasonable speeds, and get up hills to boot! It's been a lot of work over the years, doing little jobs, and rebuilding the interior, but we love it!!
Got to be worth considering!!
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Current fleet: '58 A35 (half mine) '67 11 window splitscreen vw (half mine) '77 mini 1000 (not quite 1000 any more!!) '86 Armstrong MT500 '89 XR4X4 '94 Corrado VR6 Some sort of sevenesque kit car (no age yet!!) '01 Mondeo estate 2.0 (engine eventually destined for kit car!) - scrapped, engine only left! '98 E300 estate, rusty but seemingly reliable, fast-ish tat hauler. eventual engine donor A35 van, or whats left of it after it lived in a field for many years
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savvi
Part of things
Posts: 89
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Sept 11, 2012 21:25:35 GMT
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I've recently bought this
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Sept 11, 2012 21:45:17 GMT
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1987 24v powered XR4x4 on LPG 1995 Volvo 850 BTCC replica also on LPG, life's a gas!
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Sept 13, 2012 7:09:12 GMT
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Something like that is a bit too big for what i'm after, although i'm positive it will be an awesome camper i just don't have the space. I've still be hunting around a bit, some of the suggestions given here have really broadened the search. Currently going to give it a month or so, as i think a lot of people will be selling their summer campers etc for the winter....meaning i might get a bargain! Does anyone know much about the late 80's Renault Traffic campers? I keep seeing one super cheap and it's described as having a good engine, just needing bodywork. What are they like for reliability etc? (diesel engine) Thanks again, Joe
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Sept 13, 2012 7:42:01 GMT
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Does anyone know much about the late 80's Renault Traffic campers? I keep seeing one super cheap and it's described as having a good engine, just needing bodywork. What are they like for reliability etc? (diesel engine) Forget the engine it's the body you should worry about. Mate had a Renault camper and at around 5 years old the MOT tester warned him that was starting to deteriate underneath. I had a look and rusty crud everywhere so understood what was meant. It was promptly sold Paul H
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Sept 15, 2012 20:40:43 GMT
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Does anyone know much about the late 80's Renault Traffic campers? I keep seeing one super cheap and it's described as having a good engine, just needing bodywork. What are they like for reliability etc? (diesel engine) Forget the engine it's the body you should worry about. Mate had a Renault camper and at around 5 years old the MOT tester warned him that was starting to deteriate underneath. I had a look and rusty crud everywhere so understood what was meant. It was promptly sold Paul H It is a bit, but I've yet to find anywhere where I've had trouble parking it, it has a really good lock on the steering. One thing about the smaller vans, if you want to register them as a camper with the DVLA, it has to have a bed the minimum of 6 foot long
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1987 24v powered XR4x4 on LPG 1995 Volvo 850 BTCC replica also on LPG, life's a gas!
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